Can I come on a visit or tourist visa to Dubai, find work and start working immediately?
It is illegal to work on a visa other than a valid employment visa in Dubai. However, you may come on a visit or tourist visa and actively search for jobs in Dubai. Under recent legislation pertaining to employment visas, successful candidates who are hired by Dubai employers are required to exit the UAE pending release of their Employment Visas.
Clearly, any employer asking you to start work immediately or without a valid employment visa is not in compliance with legal requirements. If you choose to begin work without a valid employment visa, you:
- give up you chances of using the Labour Code or having the Labour Ministry to mediate your case in the event of a dispute with your employer;
- run the risk of being caught, fined and deported. You will also be blacklisted such that you may never return on an employment visa to the UAE. In many cases, illegal laborers spend jail time prior to deportation and their retina scans are kept active to effect the blacklisting.
Can I apply for an employment visa myself?
No, you can’t do that on your own. Employment and residency in Dubai work within a system of sponsorship. An employer is the appropriate party to apply for an employment and residency visa for employees. This means you have to have been hired prior to the application for your employment visa.
How does the UAE’s system of sponsorship work?
An employee’s designated sponsor for residency visa is their employer, whether the respective company is operating within or outside of Free Zones. Dubai or UAE residency is temporary and normally valid for three (3) years but may be renewed. The visa is stamped on the face of your passport.
UAE Laws require resident aliens (foreign nationals) to be primarily sponsored by a UAE national (citizen). UAE nationals may be direct private sponsors, as in the case of a UAE national hiring a domestic servant or, they may be indirect sponsors, as in the case of business employees. Businesses are able to sponsor their employees mainly because a UAE national is a partner, owner or a majority shareholder of the business-sponsor.
Besides being sponsored by my employer, how else can I get a UAE residency visa?
You have three options:
- Set up and register your own company in Dubai. Your business can then be your sponsor. Note however that you’ll be required to have a local partner, i.e., a UAE citizen.
- Set up a consultancy off of a free zone to become eligible for both residency and work permits
- Buy a property so that the property developer becomes your sponsor for residency. Note however that this does not entitle you to work in the UAE.
Can someone who is not a UAE national sponsor a resident?
Yes. This is possible through secondary sponsorship. Secondary sponsors are sponsored residents, usually employed males who would like to have their wife and children live with them in the UAE.
Can women be secondary sponsors as well?
Yes, women can sponsor their children if they’re divorced or widowed.
Can a married woman sponsor her husband and children?
Yes, she can, but only under certain circumstances and with prior approval by both the Depart of Labour and the Department of Immigration and Naturalisation. Wives sponsoring husbands are not customary. In most cases, approval is granted if the wife-sponsor has a profession of strategic and economic importance such as teachers or medical personnel.
What are the qualifying criteria for secondary sponsors?
Employed persons may sponsor only their immediate family, and must meet the minimum salary requirement for sponsorship. The consent and signature of the primary sponsor is required before an employee may sponsor their family.
Whose residency can I sponsor so that they can reside with me in the UAE?
- Your spouse. This means either your lawfully-wedded husband or wife. This does not include a same-sex partner, even if such person is a lawfully-wedded partner.
- Your children. These are male and female offspring under 21 years or unmarried daughters over 21 years.
What does being a secondary sponsor mean?
Secondary sponsors are responsible for their dependents whilst such dependents are residents of the UAE. This means you are responsible for their financial support, debts, if they incur any, and all aspects of life and living whilst they are under your sponsorship, including their conduct and behaviour.
Also, as their sponsor, you are responsible for the visa, processing fees and other related costs for obtaining the residency permit for your dependents. This is not your employer’s responsibility and they may not be obliged to assist you beyond giving their consent to your sponsorship. However, in some cases, employers may provide employees with visa-assistance benefits for employees to bring their families over.
Can I acquire permanent residency in the UAE?
No, you can’t. Residency in the UAE is only temporary. However, it is renewable.
Can I acquire UAE citizenship?
No, you can’t. An expatriate is not eligible for UAE citizenship. UAE citizens are defined by law to be only those persons born of parents who are both UAE citizens or born to a father who is a UAE citizen.
What happens to an expat’s child born in the UAE?
The child takes on the citizenship of the parents who must then apply for temporary residency status for their child under the secondary sponsorship system within three months of birth.
What right does temporary residency NOT include?
Temporary residency status is not concurrent with the right to work or seek employment in the UAE, nor does it guarantee employment. Sponsored children under 18 and freehold property owners over 60, whose residency is sponsored by the respective property development company, are not eligible for employment in the UAE. All other residents may go through the usual application process to be legally employed. Legal employment in the UAE is evidenced by the Labour Card.
I have a valid UAE residency visa. I’d like to spend some time in my home country. Will my visa still be valid when I return?
Assuming your UAE residency visa is not expiring within the next six (6) months, you can stay outside of the UAE for at most six months and return on the same visa. Staying outside of the UAE for more than six months at a time automatically invalidates your UAE residency.
What is a “ban”? How do I get banned?
A ban is a legal mechanism that prevents a resident or an employee from re-entering the country or from accepting a position with a new employer for a fixed period of time, usually for six (6) months.
A permanent residency ban may be imposed on serious labour offenders, such as illegal or absconded workers, illegal aliens or convicted felons. Fingerprint samples and retina scans of banned individuals are kept on file by the Federal Department of Immigration.
A labour ban is mandatory. You get banned when:
- Your contract expires and no action pertaining to your employment has been taken by your current employer, or no new application by a different employer is filed for you.
- You terminate an unlimited labour contract before completing one year of service.
- You terminate a limited labour contract before its expiration.
How do I NOT get banned?
- Your current employer must have taken appropriate action with the Department of Labour to extend your employment with them prior to the expiration of your labour contract;
- Your sponsorship must have been transferred with a different employer. To effect this, certain conditions must be met, otherwise, your Labour Card will be cancelled and you will be banned.
How do I have my sponsorship transferred from one employer to the next?
Your limited labour contract must have already expired or you must have performed at least one year of service under an unlimited labour contract. As your current sponsor is required to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC), they must have no objections to the transfer or their conditions must have been met prior to the issuance of such certificate. In any case, this is usually discussed by your current and prospective employers. The NOC is required for the transfer of your Labour Card and both must be filed with the Department of Labour. In addition, you can only transfer sponsorships under the same labour category. This simply means your new employment must be for the same position, e.g. Accountant to Accountant, Manager to Manager.
What is the NOC? Can my current employer be legally ordered to provide this document?
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) is a formal letter by your current sponsor addressed to the Department of Labour and the Department of Naturalisation and Immigration to prevent you, the employee, from being banned after completion of your labour contract or in the process of transferring your sponsorship to a new employer. This is entirely discretionary and must be freely given by an employer. No employer may be forced to provide an employee with a NOC, under any circumstance, even after successful completion of a labour contract.
Can a female be married and yet be on father’s sponsorship in Dubai?
Dear sir/madam,
I am Khagendra from Nepal, currently working in Qatar cinse last year and I have got offer letter from 5 star hotel of Ras al khaimah Uae.
I would be greatful to u if u could grant some visa processing time for emirate of Ras al khaimah for entry level employee at hotel.
thanks and regars,
Khagendra gurung
Doha, Qatar
hello,
do i have to go to our UAE embassy in the philippines to ask for a tourist visa in dubai?
or to consult a travel agent?
wat would be safe and best?
hope for ur reply…
Hi Jenny,
Consulting a Travel agent would be much better!
I hope that helps.
Thanks
Irfan
Respected Sir,
I am Indian National working as Customer Service Assistant in Dubai
Based Company Federal Company
I signed a contract(in India) for 3 years joining date 20, July 2010
for a salary of
750 AED Basic salary and 250 AED food allowance.
Now I have given my resignation after finishing 1 year
my supervisor is telling me to pay 2,500 Aed for not completing
3 years contract and bring ticket so go back to India.
is this ture.
now i am working in one company but i have no visa.i like to pay fine and make visa how can u check the fine for making visa can u tell me please
Hi
I am a biomedical Engineer I am reaching to UAE to work one of the medical company. As my certificate has given for Attestation it takes 2 or 3 weeks time to get attested . So the employer said that he had applied for the visa giving proffession as sales representative instead of sales engineer as they need me to start as soon as possible. When i get my certificate attested they would change to an engineer visa. The thing I need to ask is that is it possible to do so? How long it takes to do so? Also is that possible to do immediately when I reach there? Pls give me a answer ! Thank you
Hi your page is so informative, thank you!!I see there are no posts recently, I hope all is well. My question is regarding a housemaid visa for my friend’s , housemaid’s niece. She is 17 and hakf years old – she is married and her husband is here but not on a salary that he could sponsor her. I can sponsor a maid normally, but am wondering if I can sponsor her? Do you have any idea?
FYI My son got a work visa here last year at 19 years of age.
Many thanks
Siog
Sir/Madam
If I having the life band to dubai ,but I really like to come back to bubai it is possible,
hi sir,
my name is alvin i want to know abt if a person is quitting his job before visa stamping . and if there is any ban for that person and if there is any hope for applying any job in uae
If I am at Managing Director or General Manager post, who are all I can sponsor ? Can I sponsor my mother-in-law who is living alone.
Hello,
I am on visit visa valid for 90 days, If I am successful in job interview, will the company transfer my visit visa to Residence/Work visa and do I have to exit or it can be transferred directly without exit. Normally, how many days it takes as my visa is going to expire within 10 days.
I read an article a while back that 16 year olds are allowed to work in the UAE now, is this true?
Hello,
I am from karachi, i am currently working in a shop as floor manager,
But i am thinking of shifting to dubai,I dont know how to go for it.
i also want to know how much money would be needed to stay there with family,
Hello everybody;
just got married here in philippines and my husband will send me a visa from dubai by his sponsor what are those papers do i have to send to him so that He can start processing my visa ?can you please help me!!!
thank you very much…
pls , tel me about total amount of 2 year employment visa .
can i go back of uae after completed my visa time period of 36 months….so plz give me best solution about it….my sponsor was say me u want to come back uae affter your visa periodcompleted my visa period(36 months) ….so give me best answer about it…..thnks & regards
Please how do i get a tourist visa to Dubai.I do not have anybody there.Please how do i go about it.
Am 23 years old , my dad was a Uae citizen, my siblings also are locals.I was not born here thats why i wasnt able to get the passport and now i am here in uae and i want to apply for it . I dont know where to go for this matter , thats why i need your help. i have all the documents that proves that my dad is a local
hello dubai visa experts, i worked for my company 10 month and my company terminated me, now because i not complete 2 years my new company saying i can not get new visa and my salary is less then 6k and im graduate. pleases advise me what is the solution
i wiuld like to register my own company what is requirement and how much it cost me
I AM WORKING AT LEADING COMPANY AT DUBAI AND HOLDING COMPANY SPONSERED RESIDENCE VISA AND WILL BE EXPIRED ON 31 JAN.2012. I NEED TO BRING MY FAMILY ON VISIT VISA FOR LAST 10 DAYS OF MONTH OF DECEMBER 2011.ANY RESTRICTIONS WILL AFFECT TO BRING THEM DUE TO LACK OF RESIDENCE VISA PERIOD
I am planning to go to India for vacation 1st week of Nov 2011, My resince Visa will expire on 24-12-2011, can I renew my visa before Nov 2011 ?(Before my Vacation)
I’m 18 I can work and how have to make cv for 18 years Pls can help me any one cause I. Didn’t understand
I had work in UAE particularly in RAK with a residence visa that will expire on 2012(March). I entered UAE March 2, 2009 and left the country after 9 months or Nov. 28, 2009. I was not able to come back within six months as provided by UAE law because of any reason. When I was not able to returned within that vacation leave given from my company, I was not able to reach them and I sent a resignation letter through email to our Operation Manager whom I only have his email address, but no reply from them. From then I was busy looking for a job and the returned ticket was already forfeited from where I had no chance of coming back anymore because I have no money to purchase the ticket. I had no job since I left UAE until March,
2011. Now, I need to go back to UAE for a business trip under the new company in Malaysia.
Can anybody advice me what is the procedure to officially cancel my residence visa so that I can enter again UAE without any problem? I am now currently working in Malaysia with legal permits and visa.
I hope anybody can help me this situation.
Dear Sir,
I am satheesh from Dubai,staying with family (wife). I have sponsored Visa for my wife as Husband Visa. Now I am sending her back to home country for Maternity leave (for Delivery Purpose). Now she has completed 3 month and having Visa up to June-2013. As per UAE Rule, the visa duration is up to 6 months. But it is not possible to bring her with in this period and will take total 9 months.
You are kindly inform me, can i renew her same Visa to settle here as before.
Awaiting your reply
iam a labour supervisor.i have 5500 dhs salary. i can apply family visa. pls reply
Greetings,
I have been in Dubai since April 2011. I work for a bank which is a semi-govt Organization. I landed myself a lucrative offer as a General Manager in a top Private Company. I will be grateful if someone could give me clarity on a couple of things.
1. Do I tell my current organization that I landed another job or do I tell them that I’m leaving the country.
2. Apparently, my current company does not give an NOC but does give all the pertinent documents(relieving letter,etc). Would this be sufficient?
Any help regarding this would be highly appreciated.
1. What is the difference between unlimited contract and limited contract?
2. I am working for almost one year in my company,can i resign from my company because they did not follow the contract?
3. we are performing security duties while my labour card designation is receptionist and we are working for 12 hours no overtime pay is this against the labour law?
Hope for your reply regarding this matter.
Thank you very much
Hi,
In 2006 I had an employment visa of UAE upto 2009, I have been for vacation and never went back to UAE. Now I would like to travel to UAE. Can anyone advise me, how to travel? Meanwhile I check with UAE MOL, in remarks its means “ABSCOND FROM SPONSER”.
i’m lee from vietnam.i have been working for 1 company in dubai investment park for 1 and half year.coming thhis next april my visa will be finished 2 years( but exactly it’s 3 years).i’m planning to open 1 shop for my own business here in dubai. so pls i want to know that can i do it or not? and will i get ban when i want to get an investment visa?and my partner he will not complete 2 years visa so will he get ban?and pls explain to me the easiest way to do it. thanks so much
Hi Guys,
I sent my fiance documents and passport etc to travel agent and they told me according UAE LAW shes not eligible for Dubai, UAE visa coz she’s 18. is there any way to get a visa for her?
I am currently living in UK and going pakistan for my wedding in 2 weeks time, I thought i will get her visa and after few days we will go for a honeymoon trip , I will be in Pakistan for a short time and would not have that much time to make a new passport on my name and den wait a for a visa.Is there anyway i get her visa??
thanks
regards
Ali
salam sir,
how i know that my employer already my working visa?if applied,how can i check the status?
please i need your answer immediately.
Hi
I am working in Dubai as labour post, my salary Dhs. 1000
My wife also working in Dubai as secretary post her salary 3500. I want residencevise for my baby.
what i will do give me any sugesstion.
Please give reply as soon as possible.
Dear Irfan:
My visa expiration date was Aug 20,2011 and it was cancelled on Sept 4,2011 after ramadan season. I’ve got new job in the government hospital but my papers are not yet finished until now. I am confused if my grace period of one month will be based on my visa expiration date or the date of cancellation. Also I would like to know if i will be banned after the government finished processing my papers and visa on October 20,2011 or i will just be penalized to pay 25 DHS per day as I stayed with expired visa in abu dhabi.thank you.
I have given resign from my job and I have worked for 5 months . my visa is cancelled . I wanted to know that can i search for other job in dubai as i have NOC also .
hi,
i have a question please help me i joined freezone company they gave me work visa only one month now just gone for medical but the visa is not posted on the passport, but now i have another offer which is non free zone. what is my consequeses if i cancelled this visa and if my sponser asked me to pay the expeses of the visa i wished to know how much is the expenses to process visa and what is the correct way to go about to change the visa
sir,
i would like to take spornsorship for my mother here in uae, please let me know any age limit required for this.
The Ministry of Interior has denied rumours that it has stopped issuing visas to the immediate relatives of expatriate residents.
https://www.dubaivisarules.info/2010/11/s…
UAE expatriates, holding valid resident visas having a minimum salary of AED 6,000 with accommodation or AED 7,000 without accommodation can get one year renewable resident visas for their parents or parents-in-law.
As per new regulations, you have to sponsor both your mother and father together and show proof that you are their sole provider and that there is no one to take care of them in your home country. However, if your parents are divorced or one is deceased, you should carry documentary proof, when visiting DNRD to obtain the entry permit visa, which is the first stage before you can apply for a residence visa. You also need to obtain a medical insurance policy for each parent with minimum coverage of AED 600 per year.
Documents required for entry visa
• Typed application form
• Original passport of sponsor
• Passport copy of parent/s & 1 photo
• Proof of relationship from your embassy/consulate attesting both relationship and that you are sole provider for your parent/s
• Copy of job contract for the sponsor or salary certificate from employer.
A new requirement is submission of DEWA bill and your tenancy contract showing you have adequate space in your house for your parents (minimum 2 bedroom apartment). You need to get your tenancy contract stamped by the Land Department, certifying it is minimum 2 bedroom. In case your tenancy contract does not mention that you have at least 2 bedrooms, then you need to get an affidavit from your landlord and submit this as well.
Procedure:
• Take the documents and go to General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai. Submit along with a letter from your side appealing on humanitarian grounds for entry visa for your parent/s. Enclose copies of all above documents along with your contact numbers. The Approval Committee will either confirm or reject your application within two weeks. If approved, go to next step.
• Have a registered typist complete the form after paying the fees.
• Go to the residency section of DNRD and hand in the documents.
• Entry Permit will be sent by Empost usually within 48 hours, or if you have applied for urgent visa, then you should receive it from the counter in a few minutes.
Fees:
– AED 5,000 refundable deposit (keep receipt safely for renewal or reimbursement, as this is paid back only when the visa is cancelled or in case your parent dies)
– AED 110 application fee + typing centre fee (or pay AED 100 more for urgent application)
Convert entry visa to residence visa for parents
Once your parents enter the country with the entry visa, you must convert it to a residency visa no later than 60 days from the date of entry.
Documents required for residence visa
• Application form & 3 photos of parent
• Original passport of parent/s and sponsor
• Original entry permit
• Health card or medical insurance policy for parent/s
• Refundable deposit receipt
• Original job contract or salary certificate of the sponsor
Fees:
– AED 110 residency fees each year + typing centre fee
– AED 100 urgent application (optional)
– AED 10 Empost fees
Procedure:
• Do a health check up and obtain a medical card.
• Take the documents and go to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai.
• Have one of the typists there complete the form for you after paying the fees.
• Go to the residency section and hand in the documents.
• The passport/s with the residency visa stamp will be sent to you through Empost
Source(s):
https://www.dubaifaqs.com/visa-residence-…
https://www.Dubai.ae
Dear Sir,
I just want to ask that i can sponsor my brother here in dubai. his 15 years old and i’m plannning my brother under student visa here in dubai. what is the procedure and requirements?
i hope you can help….
thaks a lot
jhen
Hello,
Is it possible to sponsor my parent to stay with me during my stay in Dubai? I understand that a visit visa is possible but I am looking to see if they can permanently stay with me for the period I am employed and legal here ?
I am married and live with my family.
Thank you in advance
The Ministry of Interior has denied rumours that it has stopped issuing visas to the immediate relatives of expatriate residents.
https://www.dubaivisarules.info/2010/11/s…
UAE expatriates, holding valid resident visas having a minimum salary of AED 6,000 with accommodation or AED 7,000 without accommodation can get one year renewable resident visas for their parents or parents-in-law.
As per new regulations, you have to sponsor both your mother and father together and show proof that you are their sole provider and that there is no one to take care of them in your home country. However, if your parents are divorced or one is deceased, you should carry documentary proof, when visiting DNRD to obtain the entry permit visa, which is the first stage before you can apply for a residence visa. You also need to obtain a medical insurance policy for each parent with minimum coverage of AED 600 per year.
Documents required for entry visa
• Typed application form
• Original passport of sponsor
• Passport copy of parent/s & 1 photo
• Proof of relationship from your embassy/consulate attesting both relationship and that you are sole provider for your parent/s
• Copy of job contract for the sponsor or salary certificate from employer.
A new requirement is submission of DEWA bill and your tenancy contract showing you have adequate space in your house for your parents (minimum 2 bedroom apartment). You need to get your tenancy contract stamped by the Land Department, certifying it is minimum 2 bedroom. In case your tenancy contract does not mention that you have at least 2 bedrooms, then you need to get an affidavit from your landlord and submit this as well.
Procedure:
• Take the documents and go to General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai. Submit along with a letter from your side appealing on humanitarian grounds for entry visa for your parent/s. Enclose copies of all above documents along with your contact numbers. The Approval Committee will either confirm or reject your application within two weeks. If approved, go to next step.
• Have a registered typist complete the form after paying the fees.
• Go to the residency section of DNRD and hand in the documents.
• Entry Permit will be sent by Empost usually within 48 hours, or if you have applied for urgent visa, then you should receive it from the counter in a few minutes.
Fees:
– AED 5,000 refundable deposit (keep receipt safely for renewal or reimbursement, as this is paid back only when the visa is cancelled or in case your parent dies)
– AED 110 application fee + typing centre fee (or pay AED 100 more for urgent application)
Convert entry visa to residence visa for parents
Once your parents enter the country with the entry visa, you must convert it to a residency visa no later than 60 days from the date of entry.
Documents required for residence visa
• Application form & 3 photos of parent
• Original passport of parent/s and sponsor
• Original entry permit
• Health card or medical insurance policy for parent/s
• Refundable deposit receipt
• Original job contract or salary certificate of the sponsor
Fees:
– AED 110 residency fees each year + typing centre fee
– AED 100 urgent application (optional)
– AED 10 Empost fees
Procedure:
• Do a health check up and obtain a medical card.
• Take the documents and go to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai.
• Have one of the typists there complete the form for you after paying the fees.
• Go to the residency section and hand in the documents.
• The passport/s with the residency visa stamp will be sent to you through Empost
Source(s):
https://www.dubaifaqs.com/visa-residence-…
https://www.Dubai.ae
Dear Sir,
I have already worked 2 years and 10month in dubai upon project finish I got released and visa cancelled.
I now get some call from abudhabi can i join.
If componay sponsor me.
regards
Hassan
Good Day! Just want to ask if I will get a ban if I resign from my company in a Free zone area while I am @ my 6months working period. I have an unlimited contract.
Thanks & Regards,
Perlita
Hello, am married for three years now and last year my husband got me and my baby in residence visa and we entered dubai in last December and exit dubai in Feburary 2011 and since that time till now he is not calling us to dubai because he want us to live with his parents and now my visa also got invaild because it existed 6 months and now he is not calling us nor cancelling the visa.. how should i take this issue to immigration and what could be the procedure… please reply
my husband is now wirking dubai. his basic salary diram 2400 & fixed allowance diram 600. now accomadation & transport provide his company. he wants get family visa. is it can?
i have known lots of illegal aliens here in dubai and they want to go back in their country and also they were asking if they can still come back here in dubai after a year or two of staying in their country?thank u
Hi,
I am getting offer letter from Dubai based company. They told me to send my Original B.Tech certificate attested from UAE embassy.I have sent the same to them. Now they said there may be probability that I will not get my work permit. Now a days getting work permit VISA is tough one.
Please advise is it right?
whether any requirement is there to show the birth certificate of One year old baby to bring visa in UAE as she have Indian passport already.
Is it possible to cancel the visa of my dependents while they are outside UAE.What is the procedure to do so.
hello i am sana i live in pakistan
Hi, i am currently working with a Travel & Tourism Company in Dubai. On an average i work 51hrs a week. I want to know what is the average working hours for a travel company as per the Dubai Labour Law. Should it be 48hrs?
Hello,
I have a friend from the Philippines, she came to the UAE almost two years ago on an employment contract through an employment agency, she was under the empression that she was going to work as a secratary in one of the companies in UAE, she was instead taken to work as a Domestic worker in a family house, she informed her employer at the time that this is not what she signed to work as, she tried to work with this family but could not do it anymore and requested to go back home to the philippines, they did not allow her so she ran away from her sponser and has been a runaway since that time, almost two years have passed, she had tried several times to contact and resolve the issue with her sponser but was not able to make any progress, he had already filed a case of “Absconding” with the police, i need to know if there is any way to solve this issue without having her deported or blacklisted or arrested pending deportation. Please i need your help!!! she wants to stay and find a job else where.